Hired as His Fake Fiancée

CHAPTER TWELVE: TRY MY BEST.

NORA

The woolly sweater instantly carried warmth that spread through my body in seconds. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome,” he shrugged, getting back to the grooming of the horse. “It was a struggle to adapt to the weather here, so I understand you.”

I nodded and moved closer to one of the horses. I took out the apple from the bucket and turned to one of the horses, who immediately began to nuzzle it out of my hand.

“Are you having a nice time here?” His question came as a surprise because I was sure we would just stand side by side quietly.

I turned to him slightly and shrugged. “It’s not the best Christmas experience, but…”

“I can relate,” he cut me off, but with a small voice. “I have worked on many estate grounds, and I find this one to be the coldest.”

I almost chuckled at the thought of it. He wouldn't be able to survive a day at the Thorne villa if he thought this place was hard. Everyone here was cold, granted, but none of them has plotted to have me thrown out just yet, so I think I can handle it.

“Rich people do have their ways,” I said, trying not to give myself away.

“I saw the young master’s ex-wife at the north gate,” he began, his voice low as he closed the gap between us. He was standing too close; I could feel the radiant heat from his layers of clothes.

“Evelyn?”

“Yes, her.” He snapped his finger. “She was talking with a man in a black overcoat,” he continued.

Why was he telling me this? Why did it bother me? Evelyn could be meeting anyone, including someone from her life. She was influential as well, which meant she would have staff who worked with her.

“She must have a few things to do,” I said instead of every question spinning in my mind.

“I heard she is powerful and still wants the young master.” He smacked his lips. I guess even the house staff weren't blind to what was going on. “If I were you, I’d be careful around her. She might be dangerous.”

“Thank you,” I said with a nod as I turned my attention back to the horse.

“Mr King came back because of an investment. Do you know anything about it?”

“Are you going to invest?” I teased as I tried to hide my shock. Why was he suddenly asking me about Gabriel? Was he trying to feel me up? To see how much I knew?

“I am just his fiancée,” I said when he just stood rigid in the same spot. “I don’t know about those things,” I lied.

We fell into horse conversation, and even though it was pointless, it felt like the only normal conversation I had since I got on these grounds.

Julian had to go out, so I returned to the suite to continue the boring sitting around I was meant to enjoy as a vacation. As I pushed the door open, Gabriel’s pacing stopped, and he immediately fell to my neck.

I froze, realising I had forgotten to give the scarf back and Julian hadn't asked for it. He points to my neck and makes his way to me.

“That doesn’t belong to you or anyone in this house,” he said.

My hand clutched the scarf, and I nodded. “The stable manager offered me a scarf because I was freezing.”

I raised my nose in the air, refusing to be intimidated by his presence. His face turned into a frown as realisation hit his eyes.

“You went back to the stable?”

“I was bored; what else would I have done?”

“Maybe read a book or scroll social media?”

I took a step back. It was the first time I heard the perfect and controlled Gabriel King lose his temper so much that it showed in his voice.

“It was a walk, Gabriel, nothing to fixate on.” I grabbed the scarf off my neck; it felt like I had exposed myself. “And this is just a scarf. A transactional scarf for warmth while I was freezing.”

His face didn't hide how much he was not a fan of me throwing his transactional jargon back at him. I tossed the scarf on the bed and pushed him out of the way, disappearing into the bathroom.

When I stepped back out, he was holding my sitting chart that I hadn't had time to put away.

“Nora? What is this?” He calls gently.

“Your mom asked if I could do the seating chart, so I did,” I explained.

I wished I could tell him how his ex-wife had bullied me, but I didn't want to be that person. If I began to expect him to take care of my problems, I was going to become far too attached, and pulling away later would be painful.

“I can see that.” He smacked his lips, turning to me. I only realised all of the notes I had in the margin. I had to get myself out of it.

His eyes ran across the page as he read out what I had written. “Keep the Vanes away from the Decourcys—the 2018 merger fallout still stings.' and 'Seat the Bishop next to Lady Sarah; they share a discrete interest in 17th-century pottery.”

He looked up at me, stopping himself; his eyes clashed into mine with questions, waiting for an explanation.

“This is inside information that only people within the inner circle…” He trailed off, and I rubbed my sweaty hand over my skirt.

“How do you know this, Nora?”

“I work for you, Mr King.” My voice was tight.

I had never been so quick at formulating lies, but the more time I spent here, the surer I was that I was going to keep lying to him. If I didn't, then my identity as Lady Nora Thorne was going to be exposed.

“I have had to learn enemies.”

“I don’t work with these people. Why would you need to do that?”

“What can I say? I am an overachiever. I strive for success, and what if one day you need the information?”

The room fell into silence, and the only noise was the sound of our ragged breathing. He dropped the chart to the table and closed the gap between us.

“Nora, I hadn’t realised until now how valuable you are to me.”

I knew he was talking about me being an assistant to him, but still I smiled because I really wanted it to mean more than it did now. I shook off the thought and took a step back, allowing for enough breathing room between us because I was not about to get into a freak attack because of him.

“I try my best, sir.”